Articles on the Protection of Traditional Culturall Expressions Discussion Draft for the Thirty-Fourth Session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore World Intellectual Property Organization Geneva, Switzerland, June 12 to 16, 2017 Dear Leaders: The World Intellectual Property Organizationn is a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes the protection of intellectual property throughout the world. WIPO is considering the adoption of Articles to protect the traditional cultural expressions of indigenous peoples. The WIPO Committee charged with this task willl hold an important session in Geneva on June 12-16, 2017. On May 4-5, 2017, the Native American Rights Fund and the University of Colorado Law School hosted a drafting session to propose text for the upcoming negotiations. Our draft is attached, and we are seeking your comments and support. You are invited to join a conference call to discuss on May 24, 2017 at 2pm eastern, Dial In: 888.244.8150 Pass Code: 2267767#. The United States is a WIPO Member State, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is the primary federal agency that engages with WIPO. NCAI will host a consultation session with the Patent and Trademark Office and other federal agencies on June 12, the day before the NCAI Midyear at Mohegan, 1pm to 4pm in the Shinnecock Room. This is an opportunity to urge the United States to fully protect the cultures of Tribal Nations on the international level. The attached draft represents a new direction. The earlier work of the WIPO Committee focused on levels of protection for various categories of traditional cultural expressions. This approach is problematic because it assumes western values that promote transferr and dissemination to the public domain. In contrast, indigenous peoples value thee permanent retention of traditional cultural expressions. This unresolved tensionn is reflectedd throughoutt the earlier drafts. Our new draft shifts the focus to areas where we are more likely too find a path forward. First, we focus on the problem of theft and illegal possession. For example, recently there was international attention focused on the proposed illegal sale of the Acoma Shield by a French auction house. Our new language would require WIPO Member States to ensure that effective criminal and civil enforcement procedures are available to prevent and redress theft and illegal possession, sale, transfer, and export of traditional cultural expressions.
Second, we address false marketing. For example, the Navajo Nation recently settled extensive litigation with a clothing retailer over misuse of the Navajo name. Our new language would require member states to provide legal mechanisms to prevent and redress marketing of traditional cultural expressions that falsely suggests invention or production by indigenous peoples, or marketing likely to cause confusion or to deceive as to affiliation, connection, association, origin, sponsorship, approval or endorsement by indigenous peoples. The new language is found in Section 5 of the attached draft. We encourage you to review the entire document and to please join us at the June 12 consultation with the Patent & Trademark Office. Or, even better, we would encouragee at least some tribes to consider attending the upcoming meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. This is a keyy time for protection of tribal cultural resourcess on the international stage. Please contact us if you have questions on how to attend. The following are a few notes for your consideration of the attached draft which is intended as a baseline document for consultation and negotiation. 1) Our draft is based on the existing draft from WIPO, which can be found here. 2) We made choices among the identified alternatives throughout, with amendments to key provisions. 3) We did not attempt to edit the principles/preamble because off the unresolved tensionn in goals. That section might be simplified or eliminated. We drafted our own set of proposed principles whichh are attached. 4) Professors Mathew Fletcher and Kristen Carpenter are working on a background document with examples of misuse of indigenouss peoples traditional knowledge and cultural expressions. 5) We used the term indigenous peoples throughout rather than beneficiaries because there did not seem to be any accepted definition of beneficiaries. 6) NCAI Resolution PHX-16-054 is attached, and urges the U.S. to consult with Tribal Nations on matters whichh may affect protection of indigenous traditional knowledge. Please contact Melody McCoy mmccoy@na arf.org or Suee Noe suenoe@narf.org, or John Dossett, jdossett@ @ncai.org if you have comments or questions orr if we can provide any additional information. Sincerely, Brian Cladoosby, NCAI President 5/16/17 John Echohawk, NARF Executive Director
Protection of Traditional Cultural Expressions: Draft Articles NARF/University of Colorado Law/Tulalip Tribes/ATNI/NCAI Working Draft for Discussion with Tribal Leaders Based on Facilitators Rev. 2 (as at the close of IGC 33 on March 3, 2017) May 15, 2017
PRINCIPLES/PREAMBLE/INTRODUCTION We did not attempt to edit this section, because some principles in the draft are fundamentally in tension. In particular, one cannot respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples over their traditional cultural expressions and at the same time promote transmission into the public domain. Our suggestion would be to simplify this section focusing on (1) the purpose to maintain the cultural identity of Indigenous Peoples and (2) that Indigenous Peoples should retain the economic benefit from traditional cultural expressions, if they choose to share them. In addition, we have attached a short statement of principles from the standpoint of Indigenous Peoples in the United States. ARTICLE 1 POLICY OBJECTIVES Alt 1 as edited This instrument should aim to: 1. Provide Indigenous Peoples with the means to: (a) (b) (c) (d) prevent misappropriation and offensive and derogatory use of their traditional cultural expressions; control ways in which their cultural expressions are used beyond the traditional and customary context; promote equitable compensation for use of traditional cultural expressions with free, prior and informed consent; and encourage and protect creation and innovation. ARTICLE 2 TERMS For the purposes of this instrument: Traditional cultural expressions are tangible and intangible forms in which traditional knowledge and cultures are expressed, communicated or manifested. Examples include traditional music, performances, ceremonies, narratives, names and symbols, designs, and architectural forms. Traditional knowledge is cultural heritage, practices and knowledge systems of Indigenous Peoples. It embraces content of knowledge itself as well as traditional cultural expressions, including distinctive signs and symbols associated with traditional knowledge. Traditional knowledge can be found in a wide variety of contexts, including: agricultural knowledge; scientific knowledge; technical knowledge; ecological knowledge; medicinal knowledge, including related medicines and remedies; and biodiversity-related knowledge.
ARTICLE 3 ELIGIBILITY FOR PROTECTION New Alternative To be eligible for protection, traditional cultural expressions shall be associated with the cultural heritage of Indigenous Peoples and may be dynamic and evolving. Alt 1 - as amended ARTICLE 4 BENEFICIARIES Beneficiaries of this instrument are Indigenous Peoples and local communities who own, steward, hold, express, create, maintain, use, and develop traditional cultural expressions. New Alternative ARTICLE 5 SCOPE OF [PROTECTION 5.1 Member States shall safeguard the economic and moral interests of Indigenous Peoples in their traditional cultural expressions. 5.2 Member States shall protect the right of Indigenous Peoples to define their traditional cultural expression and the forms of protection. 5.3 Member States shall ensure that effective criminal and civil enforcement procedures are available to prevent and redress theft and illegal possession, sale, transfer, and export of traditional cultural expressions. 5.4 Member States shall provide legal mechanisms to prevent and redress marketing of traditional cultural expressions that falsely suggests manufacture or production by Indigenous Peoples, or that is likely to cause confusion or to deceive as to affiliation, connection, association, origin, sponsorship, approval or endorsement by Indigenous Peoples. 5.5 Member States shall work in conjunction with Indigenous Peoples to implement each provision in this instrument. ARTICLE 6 ADMINISTRATION OF RIGHTS Alt 1 as amended Member States, in consultation with Indigenous Peoples, shall establish, or designate, a competent authority or authorities, in accordance with national law, to administer the rights provided for by this instrument.
ARTICLE 7 EXCEPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS New Alternative In complying with the obligations set forth in this instrument, Member States may adopt exceptions only in special cases and with the free, prior and informed consent of the affected Indigenous Peoples. ARTICLE 8 DURATION OF PROTECTION New Alternative The traditional cultural expressions of Indigenous Peoples shall be protected indefinitely, unless Indigenous Peoples themselves establish other appropriate terms of temporal protection for their traditional cultural expressions. ARTICLE 9 FORMALITIES Option 1 as amended 9.1 Member States shall not subject the protection of traditional cultural expressions to any formality. ARTICLE 10 SANCTIONS, REMEDIES AND EXERCISE OF RIGHTS New Alternative 10.1 Member States shall ensure that accessible and effective criminal and civil enforcement procedures are available under their laws to ensure the application of this instrument. Indigenous Peoples shall have the right to initiate enforcement on their own behalf and shall not be required to demonstrate proof of economic harm. 10.2 Member States shall provide effective redress, including repatriation, developed in consultation with Indigenous Peoples, with respect to their traditional cultural expressions taken without their free, prior and informed consent or in violation of their laws, traditions or customs.
ARTICLE 11 TRANSITIONAL MEASURES As amended 11.1 This instrument shall apply to all traditional cultural expressions that, now or in the future, fulfill the criteria set out herein. 11.2 Continuing acts commenced prior to the coming into force of this instrument that would be prohibited or regulated by this instrument shall be brought into conformity within a reasonable period of time after its entry into effect, subject to paragraph 3. 11.3 Indigenous Peoples shall have the right of immediate recovery with respect to their traditional cultural expressions that they identify as having special significance for them. ARTICLE 12 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS As amended 12.1 Member States shall implement this instrument in a manner mutually supportive of other international agreements. ARTICLE 13 NATIONAL TREATMENT As amended Member States shall accord Indigenous Peoples that are nationals of other Member States treatment related to protection of their traditional cultural expressions that is no less favorable than provided for under this instrument. As amended ARTICLE 14 TRANSBOUNDARY COOPERATION In consultation with the Indigenous Peoples concerned, Member States shall co-operate to implement this instrument when traditional cultural expressions are located in territories of different Member States.
ARTICLE 15 CAPACITY AND AWARENESS As amended 15.1 Member States shall cooperate in building capacity and strengthening human resources, for effective implementation of this instrument. 15.2 Member States shall provide necessary resources for Indigenous Peoples to develop capacity-building projects within their communities. 15.3 Member States shall take measures to raise awareness of this instrument, and in particular to educate users and holders of traditional cultural expressions of their obligations under this instrument. As amended ARTICLE 16 NON-DEROGATION Nothing in this instrument shall be construed to diminish or extinguish the rights that Indigenous Peoples have now or may acquire in the future. [End of Annex and of document]
Guiding Core Principles for WIPO IGC Instrument Negotiations Prepared by Tribal WIPO Work Group for NCAI Working Draft May 5, 2017: Indigenous Peoples have the right to self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development. (UNDRIP Art. 3) Indigenous Peoples own and control their TK, GR & TCE under their laws including for both disclosed and undisclosed TK, GR & TCE. (UNDRIP Arts. 25, 31) Indigenous Peoples have the right to uphold their responsibilities regarding their TK, GR & TCE. (UNDRIP Arts. 13, 25) Nothing in this Instrument may be construed as diminishing or extinguishing the rights Indigenous Peoples have always had, have now or may acquire in the future. (UNDRIP Art. 45) Member states shall provide redress through effective mechanisms, which may include restitution or criminal penalties, developed in conjunction with Indigenous Peoples, with respect to TK, GR & TCE taken or used without their free, prior and informed consent or in violation of their laws, traditions, and customs. (UNDRIP Arts. 11, 20 28, 32)
N A T I O N A L C O N G R E S S O F A M E R I C A N I N D I A N S The National Congress of American Indians Resolution #PHX-16-054 E XECUTIVE C OMMITTEE PRESIDENT Brian Cladoosby Swinomish Tribe FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT Fawn Sharp Quinault Indian Nation RECORDING SECRETARY Aaron Payment Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Michigan TREASURER W. Ron Allen Jamestown S Klallam Tribe R EGIONAL V ICE- P RESIDENTS ALASKA Jerry Isaac Native Village of Tanacross EASTERN OKLAHOMA Joe Byrd Cherokee Nation GREAT PLAINS Leander McDonald Spirit Lake Nation MIDWEST Roger Rader Pokagon Band of Potawatomi NORTHEAST Lance Gumbs Shinnecock Indian Nation NORTHWEST Mel Sheldon, Jr. Tulalip Tribes PACIFIC Jack Potter, Jr. Redding Rancheria ROCKY MOUNTAIN Darrin Old Coyote Crow Nation SOUTHEAST Larry Townsend Lumbee Tribe SOUTHERN PLAINS Liana Onnen Prairie Band of Potawatomi Nation SOUTHWEST Joe Garcia Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo WESTERN Bruce Ignacio Ute Indian Tribe EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jacqueline Pata Tlingit NCAI HEADQUARTERS 1516 P Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20005 202.466.7767 202.466.7797 fax www.ncai.org TITLE: Calling for Immediate and Direct Consultation by the United States with Tribes Regarding On-Going International Negotiations in the World Intellectual Property Organization on Matters that May Affect Tribal Sovereignty including Protection of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge WHEREAS, we, the members of the National Congress of American Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants the inherent sovereign rights of our Indian nations, rights secured under Indian treaties and agreements with the United States, and all other rights and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and Constitution of the United States, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the health, safety and welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution; and WHEREAS, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) was established in 1944 and is the oldest and largest national organization of American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments; and WHEREAS, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), within the United Nations System, is an international Specialized Agency that reports to the Economic and Social Council, which in turn reports to the Committee on Social, Humanitarian and Cultural and Human Rights, which in turn reports to the U.N. General Assembly; and WHEREAS, in 2000 WIPO established an Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore; and WHEREAS, in 2009 WIPO agreed to develop an international legal instrument (or instruments) that would protect indigenous genetic resources, and traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions; and WHEREAS, the United States has been participating in the WIPO negotiations of this international legal instrument (or instruments) that would protect indigenous genetic resources, and traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions; and WHEREAS, the United States Department of State has delegated authority to the United States Patent and Trade Office (USPTO) for these WIPO negotiations; and
NCAI 2016 Annual Resolution PHX-16-054 WHEREAS, the USPTO in these on-going WIPO negotiations has taken or is taking positions that directly abrogate, diminish or impinge upon tribal sovereign rights and jurisdiction, particularly regarding indigenous traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions; and WHEREAS, the USPTO in these on-going WIPO negotiations recently has introduced text that could lead to a binding international treaty that establishes, confirms or asserts the plenary authority of intellectual property offices around the world to regulate indigenous traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions; and WHEREAS, the USPTO s WIPO negotiating positions and text assert that indigenous traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions can and should be protected only for a limited duration of time and with limited protections; and WHEREAS, the USPTO s WIPO negotiating positions and text assert that the majority of indigenous traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions is already in the public domain, and that the USPTO has the authority to place indigenous traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions into the public domain, notwithstanding indigenous peoples right to free, prior and informed consent for its access and use, and other rights as embodied in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and tribal treaties and other federal law; and WHEREAS, the USPTO s WIPO negotiating positions and text assert that it has the authority to unilaterally abrogate, diminish or impinge upon tribal sovereign authority, by subjecting indigenous traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions to claims by nontribal citizens, entities, and governments to access and use indigenous traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions without indigenous peoples free, prior and informed consent, and in contravention of tribal treaties and other federal law; and WHEREAS, in 16 years and over 30 WIPO discussion and negotiations sessions, neither the USPTO nor any other U.S. agency has engaged in formal government-to-government consultation with tribes or achieved free, prior and informed consent on negotiating positions or text regarding indigenous traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions; and WHEREAS, tribal sovereign authority over traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions has never been ceded to the United States, nor expressly abrogated or diminished by an act of Congress. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the USPTO, the State Department and any other applicable federal agency involved in the WIPO IGC negotiations on indigenous intellectual property, genetic resources, and traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions should immediately begin a direct formal government-to-government consultation with tribes, regarding the United States WIPO negotiating positions and textual recommendations regarding traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the United States Government should direct the USPTO and any other applicable federal agency, in such consultations with tribes, to recognize and Page 2 of 3
NCAI 2016 Annual Resolution PHX-16-054 protect tribal sovereign rights and authority over traditional knowledge and cultural expressions; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the United States Government should ensure that in the transition to the next Presidential Administration that actions will be taken to ensure tribal consultations and free, prior and informed consent in the development of domestic and international policies, rules, legislation, and instruments that affirm tribal sovereign rights and authority over indigenous traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions; and BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be the policy of NCAI until it is withdrawn or modified by subsequent resolution. CERTIFICATION The foregoing resolution was adopted by the General Assembly at the 2016 Annual Session of the National Congress of American Indians, held at the Phoenix Convention Center, October 9 th - 14 th 2016, with a quorum present. ATTEST: Brian Cladoosby, President Aaron Payment, Recording Secretary Page 3 of 3